Cincinnati's long-maligned but now largely recalibrated and reconstituted defense has been the real dealthrough two weeks, allowing just two touchdowns while forcing a league-high four fumbles.
On the other side? Let's just say Pittsburgh's offensive attack isn't exactly reminiscent of the one head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers lorded over for so many years in Green Bay. In fact, the three points the Steelers scored in Week 2 were the fewest by a McCarthy-Rodgers operation since 2010, a game at Detroit in which Rodgers left early with a concussion.
Pittsburgh's aging and expensive defense has generally lived up to its experience level and hefty price tag so far, but it faces the daunting task of trying to contain Joe Burrow
and Co. amid the backdrop of the likelihood it will have very little margin for error. But keep an eye on Bengals OT Orlando Brown Jr., who's charged with protecting Burrow's blind side.
Brown was consistently beaten by Houston's – very formidable – pass rush last weekend and could need extra help again to ward off T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, et al. Facing WRs Ja'Marr Chaseand Tee Higgins, to say nothing of Burrow, sure would be a nice time for the Steelers to have disgruntled CB Joey Porter Jr. back in the lineup.
Steelers vs Bengals odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Bengals -1.5
- Moneyline: Bengals -125; Steelers +105
- Total: 46.5
Get the edge with our exclusive NFL betting picks
Bengals at Steelers score predictions
Adam Kaufman: Bengals 24, Steelers 16
Cincinnati is coming off a dominant upset win in Houston, where Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase got back on the same page and connected for a pair of touchdowns. Pittsburgh's offense, meanwhile, looked lifeless in New England. T.J. Watt remains an imposing force, but there's little reason to believe the Bengals won't keep finding the end zone with Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown surrounding Burrow. Pittsburgh must also contend with a dramatically improved Cincinnati defense after scoring just one offensive touchdown over the season's first eight quarters. Aaron Rodgers looks his age, and the Bengals' rebuilt defensive front should make him feel every bit of it.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Bengals 24, Steelers 13
One week after laying waste to the Texans' struggling offensive line, Dexter Lawrence could again be a game-wrecker against a floundering Pittsburgh front. The Bengals' newfound knack for creating disruption at the line of scrimmage may very well prompt an already conservative Steelers attack to retreat further into its shell. Cincinnati has its own protection issues to sort out after Joe Burrow was sacked five times last week, but the Bengals are versatile enough offensively to stay unblemished and remain atop the AFC North for at least another week.
Nate Davis: Bengals 23, Steelers 17
Division games are almost always hotly contested, especially so in the cozy AFC North. But Burrow has won his past three starts at Acrisure Stadium and seems to be progressively dialing in with Chase and Higgins. Meanwhile, Rodgers has been getting abused behind his line, doesn't have a running game to speak of and apparently lacks a downfield target – especially not WR DK Metcalf right now – he can count on at the moment.
Richard Morin: Bengals 26, Steelers 13
The Bengals just feel like a team in a much better spot than the Steelers entering this AFC North showdown. It was a rather listless performance from the Pittsburgh offense during a Week 2 defeat in New England, and there's no reason to believe that trend will be bucked against the Bengals. Cincinnati, meanwhile, has gotten off to a nice start and looks to be clicking on all cylinders. These are just two teams at different junctures at the moment.
Where to watch Bengals at Steelers
- Matchup: Steelers vs. Bengals
- Date: Sept. 27
- Time: 1:00 p.m.
- Venue: Acrisure Stadium
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- TV: CBS
NFL Week 3 picks and predictions
- Falcons at Packers
- Chargers at Bills
- Raiders at Saints
- Patriots at Jaguars
- Texans at Colts
- Seahawks at Commanders
- Chiefs at Dolphins
- Jets at Lions
- Bengals at Steelers
- Vikings at Buccaneers
- Titans at Giants
- Cardinals at 49ers
- Panthers at Browns
- Ravens at Cowboys
- Rams at Broncos
- Eagles at Bears
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bengals at Steelers: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 3 game
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